JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- "Hands off Syria," that's the message chanted today at Hemming Plaza as dozens of Syrian's rallied, protesting against U.S. military intervention.

Mireille Bitar opened up about the land and loved one's she left behind in Syria. She's seen the same images we all have. People killed by what's believed to be a large-scale chemical weapons attack in the suburbs of Damascus.

"I could not sleep for to days," said Bitar.

Bitar's mother and father are still in Syria, consumed by fear yet holding on to hope. And the dozens of people who stood in Hemming Plaza, as the sun beamed down with flags and signs in hand are also hoping for the best.

"I got a mother in law and a brother in law there," said Jack Albert. "Everyone who's protesting here has family there."

Albert, a local business owner says he was born and raised in Jacksonville. Many of the protestors are of 4th and 5th generation Syrians. Albert says there are are 10's of thousands of Syrian's living along the first coast. And most are anxious and understandably on edge, waiting to hear what's next.

The Syrian American Forum organized today's rally. They're urging the Obama administration to diplomatically end the bloody conflict in Syria, instead of resorting to military strikes.